Vaisakhi
Sikh Vaisakhi parade in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, on April 15, 2006
Also called	Baisakhi, Vaisakhi
Observed by	Punjabis
Type	Punjabi festival
Significance	The beginning of the harvest season and birth of the Khalsa
Date	First day of Vaisakh (usually 13 April, but 14 April in 2011 in the Gregorian calendar)
Celebrations	Parades and Nagar Kirtan
Observances	Prayers, processions, raising of the Nishan Sahib flag

Vaisakhi (Punjabi: ਵਿਸਾਖੀ) visākhī), also known as Baisakhi, Vaishakhi, or Vasakhi) is celebrating the birth of the Sikhs which is celebrated across the northern Indian subcontinent, especially in the Punjab region by the Sikh nation as this day commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa.^[1]

Importance[link]

Since agriculture is the backbone of the Indian sub-continent, it provides livelihood to the majority of people in the rural areas of the country. The festival of harvest is given special importance in the calendar of events. Vaisakhi/Baisakhi is one of the important festivals celebrated with fun and fervor by the people living in the northern parts of the country. Apart from being a harvest festival, it holds religious significance too.

Vaisakhi in Hinduism and other religions[link]

For the Hindus, it is the start of the New Year, and is celebrated with requisite bathing, partying, and worshipping.^[2] It's believed that thousands of years ago, Goddess Ganga descended to earth and in her honor, many Hindus gather along the sacred Ganges River for ritual baths. The action is centered in the holy cities along the Ganges in north India, or in Srinagar's Mughal Gardens, Jammu's Nagbani Temple, or anywhere in Tamil Nadu. Hindus plant poles (wrapped in flags of gold-embroidered silk) in front of their homes, and hang pots of brass, copper or silver on top.

In Kerala, the festival is called 'Vishu'. It includes fireworks, shopping for new clothes and interesting displays called 'Vishu Kani'. These are arrangements of flowers, grains, fruits, cloth, gold, and money are viewed early in the morning, to ensure a year of prosperity.

In Assam, the festival is called Bohag Bihu, and the community organizes massive feasts, music, and dancing.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj on Baisakhi, in 1875. Therefore, Baisakhi is as special for the Hindus, as it is for Sikhs. In April, this day marks the beginning of the Hindu solar New Year. In fact, this day is celebrated all over the country as New Year day, under different names.^{[citation needed]}

Apart from the Sikhs and Hindus, Baisakhi is an important day for the Buddhists as well. The name is Vaisakha, Wesak or Vesak. It commemorates the Birth, the Awakening and the Enlightened Passing Away of Buddha Gautama who was born as prince Siddharta. The festival occurs on the full moon day of May and has no connections with either harvest festivals or New Year's Day.

Celebration[link]

Vaisakhi is usually celebrated on 13 April, and occasionally on 14 April, in the different regions across the world as the Sikhs migrated overseas.

In East Punjab[link]

Vaisakhi at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib, the birthplace of the Khalsa

The main celebration takes place at Talwandi Sabo (where Guru Gobind Singh stayed for nine months and completed the recompilation of the Guru Granth Sahib),^[3] and in the Gurudwara at Anandpur Sahib (see picture above), the birth place of the Khalsa and at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.^[4]

In West Punjab[link]

Vaisakhi is widely celebrated by Sikhs in Western Punjab (Pakistan) as well, with festivities centered on the Panja Sahib complex in Hasan Abdal, numerous Gurudwaras in Nankana Sahib, and in various historical sites in Lahore.^[5] It is culturally and traditionally regarded as an important and significant Punjabi festival, further exemplified by the thousands of Sikh pilgrims from around the world arriving each year to commemorate the day at the sacred Sikh sites of Nankana Sahib and Hasan Abdal. Further, local Pakistani's offer their well wishes and welcome the incoming pilgrims. In April 2009, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee announced plans for formally organising the event on a larger scale in the country as well as expressing intentions for elegant arrangements. In 2010, over 20,000 pilgrims were expected to arrive in Pakistan for the celebrations, a significant increase over previous years.

In United States, Canada, and United Kingdom[link]

In the United States, there is usually a parade commemorating the Vaisakhi celebration. In Manhattan, New York City^[6] people come out to do "Seva" (selfless service) such as giving out free food, and completing any other labor that needs to be done. In Los Angeles, California, the local Sikh community consisting of more than 20 Gurdwaras holds a full day Kirtan (spiritual music) program followed by a two mile parade in downtown Los Angeles with an estimated 15,000 participants. The local Sikh community in Vancouver, Abbotsford and Surrey, British Columbia, Canada holds its annual Vaisakhi celebrations in the April long weekend, which often includes a Nagar Kirtan (parade) which an estimated 200,000 people attend.

The United Kingdom has a large Sikh community which was established in the 1960s with the arrival of immigrants from the Indian sub-continent, and which increased in the 1970s with refugees from East Africa and in the 1990s with refugees from Afghanistan. The largest concentrations of Sikhs in the UK are to be found in Birmingham in the West Midlands and Southall in west London. The Southall Nagar Kirtan is held on a Sunday a week or two before Vaisakhi, and it attracts between 40,000 to 75,000 people to the streets . The Birmingham Nagar Kirtan is held in late April in association with Birmingham City Council^[7], and it is an annual event attracting about 100,000 people which commences with two separate nagar kirtans setting off from gurdwaras in the city and culminating in the Vaisakhi Mela at Handsworth Park^[8]

Punjabi style of celebration[link]

To mark the celebrations, Sikh devotees generally attend the Gurdwara before dawn with flowers and offerings in hands. Processions through towns are also common.

Punjabis assign a quite different meaning to Vaisakhi. In rural areas of Punjab they celebrate with full happiness and joy. They can be caught performing Bhangra.^[1] This strenuous dance tells the story of the agricultural process, from tilling the soil through harvesting. Thus it prepares the people of Punjab for the joy of the harvest season which begins on the following day. It is a day of feasting and merriment before the hard, tiring but fruitful time ahead.

In other regions of India[link]

The particular significance attached to the occasion shows regional variation outside of Punjab.

This day is also observed as the beginning of the Hindu solar new year celebrated by people across the Assam Valley, Kerala, Orissa, West Bengal, Uttrakhand and other regions of India. In Himachal Pradesh, the Hindu Goddess Jwalamukhi is worshipped on the day, while in Bihar, the Sun-god Surya is honoured.^[2] It also celebrated out of India in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Names by region[link]

The festival is celebrated as:

• Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,
• Rongali Bihu in Assam,
• Naba Barsha or Pohela Boishakh in Bengal and Tripura
• Vishu (or Vaishakhi) in Kerala^[1]
• Puthandu (Tamil New Year) in Tamil Nadu^[1]
• Bikhu or Bikhauti in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand
• Maha Vishuva Sankranti (or Pana Sankranti) in Orissa
• Sinhalese New Year festival in Sri Lanka.
• Navreh – The new year day in Kashmir

On the same day JurShital (New Year) is celebrated in Mithila (portions in Bihar and Nepal).

References[link]

Guru Gobind Singh Ji (born: Gobind Rai^[1]) (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ [ɡʊɾu ɡobɪnd sɪ́ŋɡ], Marathi: गुरु गोबिंद सिंघ; 22 December 1666 - 7 October 1708^[2]) is the Tenth of Eleven Sikh Guru Ji'. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, He was also a Warrior, Poet and Philosopher. He succeeded His Father Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji as the Leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine. He contributed much to Sikhism; notable was His contribution to the continual formalisation of the faith which the First Sikh Guru Ji Guru Nanak Dev Ji had founded, as a religion, in the 15th century.^[3][4] Guru Gobind Singh transformed Sikhs into Khalsa (pure) in 1699.^[5]

Education and Family[link]

Guru Gobind Singh's birthplace

Gobind Singh was born to Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh guru, and Mata Gujri in Patna. He was born while his father was on a tour of a neighbouring state Assam, spreading God's word. He learned Persian and Sanskrit when he was a child and was also trained to become a warrior.^[5]

Gobind Singh married three times^[6][7][8] and had four children.^[9] He was married off to Mata Jito in 1677, when he was only 11-years-old.^[10] They had three children together Zorawar Singh, Jujhar Singh and Fateh Singh.^[9] He married Mata Sundari in 1684, and the couple had one child, Sahibzada Ajit Singh.^[9][11] His third wife was Mata Sahib Dewan.^[9]

Early life[link]

Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji had found the city of Anandpur Sahib in 1665, on land purchased from the ruler of Bilaspur (Kahlur). After His tour of eastern parts of India ended, He asked His Family to come to Anandpur. Gobind Rai reached Anandpur (then known as Chakk Nanaki), on the foothills of the Sivalik Hills, in March 1672. Gobind Rai's early education included study of languages and training as a Soldier. He had started studying Hindi and Sanskrit while at Patna. In Anandpur, He started studying Punjabi under Sahib Chand, and Persian under Qazi Pir Mohammad.

In April 1685, Guru Gobind Singh Ji shifted His residence to Paonta in Sirmur State at the invitation of Raja Mat Prakash of Sirmur. According to the Gazetteer of the Sirmur State, the Guru Ji was compelled to quit Anandpur due to differences with Bhim Chand, and went to Toka.^[12] From Toka, he was brought to Nahan (the capital of Sirmur) by Mat Prakash. From Nahan, he proceeded to Paonta. Mat Prakash invited the Guru to his kingdom in order to strengthen his position against Raja Fateh Shah of Garhwal. At the request of Raja Mat Prakash, the Guru constructed a fort at Paonta with help of his followers, in a short time. The Guru remained at Paonta for around three years, and composed several texts.

The hostility between Nahan king and Fateh Shah, the Garhwal king continued to increase during the latter's stay at Paonta, ultimately resulting in the Battle of Bhangani near Paonta. Fateh Shah attacked on the 18th of September 1688; the battle resulted in the Guru's victory.

In the Battle of Nadaun in 1687, the armies of Alif Khan and his aides were defeated by the allied forces of Bhim Chand, Guru Gobind Singh and other hill Rajas. According to Bichitra Natak and the Bhatt Vahis, Guru Gobind Singh remained at Nadaun, on the banks of the River Beas, for eight days, and visited the places of all the chiefs. Sometime after the Battle of Bhangani, Rani Champa, the dowager queen of Bilaspur requested the Guru to return to Chakk Nanaki (Anandpur), the Guru agreed. He reached Anandpur in November 1688.

In 1695, Dilawar Khan, the Mughal chief of Lahore, sent his son with an army of one thousand men to Anandpur, to check the rising power of the Guru. As Khanzada crossed the Satluj river, Guru's scout Alam Chand (aka Alam Singh) alerted the Guru's forces. The Ranjit Nagara was beaten, and the Guru's men quickly marched to the river, forcing the Mughal army to retreat back. After Hussain's death, Dilawar Khan sent his men Jujhar Hada and Chandel Rai to Sivalik Hills. However, they were defeated by Gaj Singh of Jaswal. The developments in the hill area caused anxiety to the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who sent forces under the command of his son, to restore Mughal authority in the region.

Founding of the Khalsa[link]

In 1699, the Guru sent hukmanamas (letters of authority) to his followers, requesting them to congregate at Anandpur on 30 March 1699, the day of Vaisakhi (the annual harvest festival).^[13] He addressed the congregation from the entryway of a small tent pitched on a small hill (now called Kesgarh Sahib). He first asked everyone who he was for them? Everyone answered - "You are our Guru." He then asked them who were they, to which everyone replied - "We are your Sikhs." Having reminded them of this relationship, He then said that today the Guru needs something from his Sikhs. Everyone said, "Hukum Karo, Sache Patshah" (Order us, True Lord). Then drawing his sword he asked for a volunteer who was willing to sacrifice his head. No one answered his first call, nor the second call, but on the third invitation, Daya Ram (later known as Bhai Daya Singh) came forward and offered his head to the Guru. Guru Gobind Rai took the volunteer inside the tent. The Guru returned to the crowd with blood dripping from his sword. He then demanded another head. One more volunteer came forward, and entered the tent with him. The Guru again emerged with blood on his sword. This happened three more times. Then the five volunteers came out of the tent in new clothing unharmed.

Guru Gobind Singh then poured clear water into an iron bowl and adding Patashas (Punjabi sweeteners) into it, he stirred it with double-edged sword accompanied with recitations from Adi Granth. He called this mixture of sweetened water and iron as Amrit ("nectar") and administered it to the five men. These five, who willingly volunteered to sacrifice their lives for their Guru, were given the title of the Panj Piare ("the five beloved ones") by their Guru.^[13] They were the first (baptized) Sikhs of the Khalsa: Daya Ram (Bhai Daya Singh), Dharam Das (Bhai Dharam Singh), Himmat Rai (Bhai Himmat Singh), Mohkam Chand (Bhai Mohkam Singh), and Sahib Chand (Bhai Sahib Singh).

Guru Gobind Singh then recited a line which has been the rallying-cry of the Khalsa since then: 'Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji Ki Fateh' (Khalsa belongs to God; victory belongs to God). He gave them all the name "Singh" (lion), and designated them collectively as Khalsa (the Pure Ones), the body of baptized Sikhs. The Guru then astounded the five and the whole assembly as he knelt and asked them to in turn initiate him as a member, on an equal footing with them in the Khalsa, thus becoming the sixth member of the new order. His name became Gobind Singh.

Today members of the Khalsa consider Guru Gobind as their father, and Mata Sahib Kaur as their mother.^[13] The Panj Piare were thus the first baptised Sikhs, and became the first members of the Khalsa brotherhood. Women were also initiated into the Khalsa, and given the title of kaur ("princess").^[13] Guru Gobind Singh then addressed the audience -

A result of the Guru's actions is arguably that the strength of Sikhi in the 18th and 19th centuries was based on the third, fourth, and fifth orders of Indian society, even though some of its leaders still came from the Kshatriya varna. An interesting representation of the first amrit ceremony is found in the paintings that show two dead hawks, lying on their backs on the ground, while their killers, two doves, sit upon the bowls of amrit. Symbolically, the Sikhs, the doves, had gained the strength of hawks, the strong, militant people who lived on all sides of them.^[15]

Guru Gobind Singh's respect for the Khalsa is best represented in one of his poems:^[16]

Pilgrimage from Anandpur Sahib to Talwandi Sabo[link]

Conflicts with the Rajas of Sivalik Hills[link]

The formation of the military order Khalsa did not go well with the Rajas of the Sivalik Hills, who in turn got united to evict the Guru from the region. However their expeditions during 1700-04 were unsuccessful.

Balia Chand and Alim Chand - two of the hill chieftans - made a surprise attack on the Guru, while he was on a hunting expedition.^[17] In the ensuing combat, Alim Chand managed to escape, while Balia Chand was killed by Guru's aide Ude Singh.

After several failed attempts to check the rising power of the Sikhs, the hill chiefs petitioned the Mughal rulers for help. The Mughal emperor of Delhi sent his generals Din Beg and Painda Khan, each with an army of five thousand men.^[18] The Mughal forces were joined by the armies of the hill chiefs. However, they failed to defeat the Guru's forces, and Painda Khan was killed in the First Battle of Anandpur (1701).

Alarmed at the Guru's rising influence, the Rajas of several hill states assembled at Bilaspur to discuss the situation. The son of Bhim Chand, Raja Ajmer Chand of Kahlur, suggested forming an alliance to curb the Guru's rising power. Accordingly, the Rajas formed an alliance, and marched towards Anandpur. They sent a letter to the Guru, asking him to pay the arrears of rent for Anandpur (which lay in Ajmer Chand's territory), and leave the place. The Guru insisted that the land was bought by his father, and is therefore, his own property. A battle, dated from 1701 to 1704, followed. The hill Rajas were joined by a large number of Gujjars, under the command of Jagatullah. Duni Chand led five hundred men from Majha region to assist the Guru. Reinforcements from other areas also arrived to help the Guru. The conflict, known as the Second Battle of Anandpur, resulted in retreat of the hill Rajas.^[19]

Later, the hill Rajas negotiated a peace agreement with the Guru, asking him to leave Anandpur. Accordingly, the Guru left for Nirmoh village.^[20] Seeing that Nirmoh was not fortified, Raja Ajmer Chand and the Raja of Kangra launched an attack on the Guru's camp. However, they were not able to defeat the Guru. Meanwhile, Raja Ajmer Chand had sent his envoys to the Mughal viceroys in Sirhind and Delhi, seeking their help against the Guru. The army of Sirhind viceroy Wazir Khan arrived to assist the hill Rajas. The assault by Wazir Khan's army forced the Guru to retreat to Basoli, whose Raja was on good terms with the Guru.

After staying for a few days at Basoli, the Guru marched back to Anandpur, and the local Rajas decided to make peace with him. However, after two years the hostilities between the Rajas and the Guru reappeared. Raja Ajmer Chand allied with the Rajas of Hindur, Chamba and Fatehpur, and attacked Anandpur in 1703-04. They failed to oust the Guru in the Third Battle of Anandpur, and retreated.

After repeated pleas for assistance from the hill Rajas, the Mughal emperor sent an army under Saiyad Khan's command. Saiyad Khan was a brother-in-law of Pir Budhu Shah, and defected to the Guru's side, after the Pir spoke highly of him. Ramzan Khan then took the command of the imperial army, and allied with the hill Rajas to attack Anandpur in March 1704. It was the crop-cutting time of the year, and the majority of the Guru's followers had dispersed to their homes. Guru was assisted by two of his Muslim admirers, Maimun Khan and Saiyad Beg, however his men were outnumbered, and decided to vacate Anandpur.^[21] The Mughal army plundered the city, and then proceeded to Sirhind. On their way back, they were caught in a surprise attack by the Guru's forces, who recovered the booty captured from Anandpur. The Guru then returned to Anandpur.

Evacuation from Anandpur[link]

The hill chiefs then decided to approach the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, through his Governor in Punjab, Wazir Khan, to help them subdue the Sikhs. Their memorandum spoke of his establishing the new order of Khalsa

At the plea of Raja Ajmer Chand, the Mughal emperor ordered the viceroys of Sirhind, Lahore and Kashmir to proceed against the Guru. The Mughal forces were joined by the armies of the hill Rajas, the Ranghars and the Gurjars of the area. The Guru also made preparations for the battle, and his followers from Majha, Malwa, Doaba and other areas assembled at Anandpur.

The imperial forces attacked Anandpur in 1705, and laid a siege around the city. After a few days of the commencement of the siege, Raja Ajmer Chand sent his envoy to the Guru, offering withdrawal of the siege, in return for Guru's evacuation from Anandpur. The Guru refused to accept the offer, but many of his followers, suffering from lack of food and other supplies, asked him to accept the proposal. As more and more followers pressured the Guru to accept Ajmer Chand's offer, he sent a message to Ajmer Chand offering to evacuate Anandpur, if the allied forces would first allow his treasury and other property to be taken outside the city. The allied forces accepted the proposal. The Guru, in order to test their sincerity, sent a caravan of loaded bullocks outside the fort. However, the allied forces attacked the caravan to loot the treasure. To their disappointment, they found out that the caravan carried no treasure. The Guru then decided not to vacate Anandpur, and refused to accept any further proposals from the allied forces.

Finally, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb sent a signed letter to the Guru, swearing in name of Quran, that the Guru and his followers would be allowed a safe passage if he decided to evacuate Anandpur. The Guru, hard pressed by his followers and his family, accepted the offer, and evacuated Anandpur on 20–21 December 1705.

On the first night after they left Anandpur, the Guru's contingent was attacked by the imperial forces. Following a few skirmishes, the Guru and his followers reached the banks of Sirsa river. The group could not keep together while crossing the flooded Sirsa (or Sarsa) river. The Guru's mother, and his two younger sons, Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh, strayed away from the main group. Guru's old servant, Gangu, escorted them to his village, Kheri. His wife Mata Jito, was in another group that also included Mata Sahib Kaur; this group was escorted to Delhi by Jawahar Singh. The floods in the river resulted in loss of several of the Guru's followers.

The Guru, with his two elder sons, and some other Sikhs, managed to cross the river, and reached the Ghanaula village. He instructed a band of hundred followers under Bachitar Singh to march to Rupar. The Guru, with the remaining followers, marched towards Kotla Nihang near Rupar, to stay with his trusted acquaintance Pathan Nihang Khan. From there, he proceeded to Machhiwara and Raikot, halting at Bur Majra. He was informed that a large body of troops from Sirhind was chasing him. He decided to face the enemy troops at the fortress of Chamkaur.

The imperial troops besieged the fortress at Chamkaur in December 1705, leading to the battle of Chamkaur. The two elder sons of Guru Gobind Singh, Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh, died in the battle. The Guru asked the remaining disciples to get ready for the final charge, and die fighting. However, his disciples insisted that the his survival was necessary for the survival of the Khalsa, and planned his escape from Chamkaur. It was decided that Sant Singh and Sangat Singh would stay in the fortress, while Daya Singh, Dharam Singh, and Man Singh would accompany the Guru out of Chamkaur. The Guru gave his kalghi (plume used to decorate headgear) and his armor to Bhai Sangat Singh, a Sikh who resembled him. Sangat Singh was seated in the upper room where Guru was stationed. The Guru marched out of Chamkaur in the night, along with some followers. Next day, the Mughal army, which still believed that the Guru was inside the fortress, attacked the fortress, and killed all the Sikhs inside the fortress.

The Guru separated from his companions, and reached Machhiwara, after passing through Jandsar and Behlolpur. There, his three companions, Daya Singh, Dharam Singh and Man Singh rejoined him. Gulaba, an old masand of Machhiwara, gave them shelter, but feared for his own safety. Two Pathan horse merchants, Nabi Khan and Ghani Khan, decided to help him. The Khans, who were old acquaintances of the Guru, disguised him as the Pir (Sufi saint) of Uchh village, and carried him to safety, in a palanquin. At Alam Gir, Nand Lal, a zamindar decided to help the Guru. From Alam Gir, the Guru proceeded to Raikot. At Silaoni, Rai Kalha III, the Muslim chief of Raikot state, received him warmly. The Guru stayed there for some time.

Meanwhile, Guru's mother Mata Gujri and the his two younger sons were captured by Wazir Khan, the governor of Sirhind. The two boys were executed after refusing to convert to Islam, and Mata Gujri died soon after hearing of her grandsons' death. Rai Kalha's servant Noora Mahi brought this news to the Guru from Sirhind.Mata Sundari and Mata Sahib kaur escaped towards Delhi escorted by bhai Mani Singh .

Later travels[link]

Stay at Dina[link]

Realizing that Rai Kot was not a suitable place to stage resistance against the Mughals, Guru Gobind Singh left Raikot, and spent two days at Hehar with Mahant Kirpal Das (who had earlier participated in the Battle of Bhangani). He then marched to Lamma Jatpura, where his companion Rai Kalla took leave. The Guru moved southwards, accompanied by three Sikhs. On the way he passed through the villages of Manuke, Mehdiana, Chakkar, Takhtupura and Madhe and finally reached Dina (now in Moga district) in Malwa (Punjab). The people had heard that the Guru had been killed at Chamkaur, but the truth began to be known when he reached Dina. He was received warmly at Dina by Shamira, Lakhmira and Takht Mal, the three grandsons of Rai Jodh, a devotee of Guru Har Gobind.^[24]

While at Dina, the Guru received a concilatory letter from Aurangzeb, asking him to come to Deccan to discuss the situation. The Guru was wary of Aurangzeb, who had beheaded his father. The Guru rejected the emperor's offer, and wrote a famous letter in Persian, titled 'Zafarnamah (the Epistle of Victory). In the letter, the Guru reminded Aurangzeb of his misdeeds, and condemened the treacherous acts of the Mughals. He sent a group of Sikhs, consisting of Daya Singh, Dharam Singh, and some guards, to despatch the letter to Aurangzeb, who was camping in Ahmednagar.

Guru Gobind Singh moved onto Talwandi Sabo and was at place called Rohi when a group of forty Sikhs from Majha area of Punjab region accompanied by Mata Bhag Kaur, also known as Mai Bhago, visited him. They had come to offer their condolences over the death of his four sons and his mother, and also offered to effect a compromise between the Guru and Mughal authorities. The Guru narrated to them the atrocities of Mughals from the time of martyrdom of Guru Arjan to the laying of the siege of Anandpur. He rebuked them for their behaviour and put them to shame for talking like that. One of the leaders of the Jatha (group), Bhag Singh Jabhalia, said that it was not in their means to have more faith in the Guru. The Guru said that he had not called for them and they should write a disclaimer, which was signed by Bhag Singh Jabhalia and another four. The remaining thirty five did not sign the disclaimer.^[25] The Guru at the moment got the information of advancing Mughal forces led by Wazir Khan. He along with those acompanying him moved on to take positions by the side of a mound, which incidentally was also the only water source in the area.

At this stage Mata Bhag Kaur criticised the forty Sikhs for deserting Guru Gobind Singh at such a crucial stage. Her challenge made the forty to face the oncoming Mughal force led by Wazir Khan. In the action that occurred on 30 poh 1972 (29 December 1705), beside the forty Sikhs and Mata Bhag Kaur from Majha, Guru Gobind Singh and those accompanying him also participated. By sunset most of warriors were killed or seriously injured. Of the forty only three sikhs (Rai Singh, Sunder singh and Mahan singh) were in their last breath, while Bhag Kaur lay seriously injured. At their request Guru Gobind Singh tore the disclaimer and blessed them as Muktas (emanicipated). He also changed the name of the place, Ishar sar or Khidrana, to Muktsar in their honour.

Stay at Talwandi Sabo[link]

Illuminated Adi Granth folio with nisan of Guru Gobind Singh

From Muktsar, the Guru moved to Rupana, Bhander, Gurusar, Thehri Bambiha, Rohila, Jangiana and Bhai Ka Kot. At Chatiana, the Brars who had fought for him at Muktsar, threatened to block his march as the Guru had failed to disburse pay arrears to them. A Sikh from the neighborhood area brought enough money, which enabled the Guru to pay off all the arrears. However, the leader of the Brars, Chaudhri Dana apologized the Guru on behalf of his people, and refused to accept any payment for himself. At his request, the Guru visited his native place Mehma Swai. The Guru continued his travel, passing through Lakhi Jungle (Lakhisar). From Lakhi, he visited nearby areas and initiated large number of people into Khalsa.

A landowner called Chaudhari Dalla welcomed the Guru to his estate, and took him to Talwandi Sabo (aka Talwandi Sabo Ki). On his way he passed through Chatiana, Kot Sahib Chand, Kot Bhai, Giddarbaha, Rohila, Jangirana, Bambiha, Bajak, Kaljhirani, Jassi Bagwali, Pakka Kalan and Chak Hira Singh. Guru Gobind Singh arrived at Talwandi Sabo on 20 January 1706, and stayed there for several months. The place is now called Damdama Sahib (the resting place). The Guru made a tour of the neighbouring villages, and initiated several people into the Khalsa.

When Wazir Khan learned that the Guru was at Sabo Ki Talwandi, he sent a letter to Chaudhri Dalla asking him to hand over Guru Gobind Singh to him. However, the Chaudhari refused, in spite of Wazir Khan's threats and promises of reward. Wazir Khan complained to the Emperor, who was in the Deccan. The Emperor received Dalla's letter written to Wazir Khan and also the Guru's Zafarnamah at about the same time. He ordered Wazir Khan to remove all restrictions imposed on the Guru and stop harassing him.

The Guru's literature had been destroyed as he crossed the river after evacuating Anandpur. He dictated the Guru Granth Sahib to Bhai Mani Singh. A number of poets and scholars gathered around the Guru at Talwandi Sabo, and the place came to be known as Guru's Kashi (Varanasi). The Guru's wife, who had separated from him at Anandpur, also reunited with him at Damdama Sahib. The Guru also reorganized his forces at this place, and took many Dogras, Rathores and Brars into his service.

After Aurangzeb's death[link]

In response to the Guru's Zafarnamah, Aurangzeb expressed his wish for a personal meeting with the Guru. The Guru left for Deccan in October 1706 to meet Aurangzeb. He passed through what is now Rajasthan, on his way to Ahmednagar, where the Emperor was encamped. At Baghaur (or Baghor), he received the news of Aurangzeb's death in March 1707, and decided to return to Punjab, via Shahjahanabad.

After the emperor's death, a war of succession broke out between his sons. The third son, Mohammad Azam (or Azim), declared himself the Emperor. The second son Muazzam (later Emperor Bahadur Shah) set out from Peshawar to claim the throne. The Guru's follower Bhai Nand Lal (who had earlier served in the Muazzam 's court) brought him a letter written by Muazzam. Muazzam had sought Guru's help in securing the throne, and had promised to pursue a policy of religious tolerance towards the non-Muslims. The Guru sent a band of his followers under the command of Bhai Dharam Singh, to help Muazzam.^[26][27] Muazzam's forces defeated Azam Shah's forces in the Battle of Jajau on 12 June 1707.

Muazzam ascended the throne as Bahadur Shah. He invited Guru Gobind Singh for a meeting which took place at Agra on 23 July 1707. The Guru was received with honour and was given the title of Hind Ka Pir (the Saint of India). The Guru stayed with the Emperor in Agra till November 1707. He made Dholpur a center of his missionary activities, and toured nearby areas for many days, before proceeding to Deccan. In November 1707, the Emperor had to march into Rajputana against the rebel Kachwahas. He requested the Guru to accompany him. From Rajputana, the emperor marched to the Deccan to suppress the rebellion of his brother Kam Bakhsh, and the Guru accompanied him.

Guru Gobind Singh was not happy with Bahadur Shah's friendly attitude towards Wazir Khan of Sirhind. He parted ways with the Emperor at Hingoli, and reached Nanded in July 1708. At Nanded, the Guru camped on the banks of the river Godavari. Saiyad Khan, the former general of the imperial forces, resigned from his post and came to Nanded from Kangra, to see the Guru.

During a trip, the Guru met a bairagi (hermit) called Madho Das, whom he initiated into Khalsa as Gurbakhsh Singh. Gurbakhsh Singh, popularly known as "Banda Singh" or "Banda Bahadur", soon became his most trusted general.

While in Nanded, the Guru received in a letter from Saiyad Khan's sister Nasiran, the wife of Pir Budhu Shah of Sadhaura. The letter informed him that the Emperor's army had ransacked Sadhaura and hanged Pir Budhu Shah as a rebel, for having faith in Guru Gobind Singh, whom they considered as a Kaffir ("infidel").

The Guru assumed that the Emperor had fallen prey to Wazir Khan's propaganda, and was plotting to kill all of his supporters. He sent a letter to the emperor, demanding an explanation for Pir Budhu Shah's death. There was no reply from the emperor. Instead, the Guru heard rumors that the emperor was planning to wage a battle against him. The Guru appointed Banda Singh as the commander of the Khalsa, and asked him to march towards Punjab.

Final days and death[link]

Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded, built over the place where Guru Gobind Singh was cremated in 1708, the inner chamber is still called Angitha Sahib.

Wazir Khan, the Nawab of Sirhind, felt uneasy about any conciliation between Guru Gobind Singh and Bahadur Shah I. He commissioned two Pathans, Jamshed Khan and Wasil Beg,^[28] to assassinate the Guru. The two secretly pursued the Guru and got an opportunity to attack him at Nanded.^[29]

According to Sri Gur Sobha by the contemporary writer Senapati, Jamshed Khan stabbed the Guru in the left side below the heart while he was resting in his chamber after the Rehras prayer. Guru Gobind Singh killed the attacker with his Talwar (traditional Sikh curved sword), while the attacker's companion tried to flee but was killed by Sikhs who had rushed in on hearing the noise.

The European surgeon sent by Bahadur Shah stitched the Guru's wound. However, the wound re-opened and caused profuse bleeding, as the Guru tugged at a hard strong bow after a few days. Seeing his end was near, the Guru declared the Granth Sahib as the next Guru of the Sikhs.^[30] He then sang his self-composed hymn:

"Agya bhai Akal ki tabhi chalayo Panth Sabh Sikhan ko hukam hai Guru Maneyo Granth, Guru Granth Ji manyo pargat Guran ki deh Jo Prabhu ko milbo chahe khoj shabad mein le Raj karega Khalsa aqi rahei na koe Khwar hoe sabh milange bache sharan jo hoe."

Translation of the above:

"Under orders of the Immortal Being, the Panth was created. All the Sikhs are enjoined to accept the Granth as their Guru. Consider the Guru Granth as embodiment of the Gurus. Those who want to meet God, can find Him in its hymns. The Khalsa shall rule, and impure will be no more, Those separated will unite and all the devotees shall be saved."

The Guru reportedly left the visible body, along with his horse Dilbagh (aka Neela Ghora) on 7 October 1708 at Nanded, before which he had declared the Guru Granth Sahib as his successor.^[31]

Criticism[link]

Mughal accounts of Guru Govind Singh[link]

Guru Govind Singh, gave the Sikhs their very distinctive symbols—the uncut hair, the steel bangle, the sword. He soon initiated conflict against local Hindu rivals in the Punjab such as: Kirpal Chand, Raja of Kangra and Raja Dayal of Bijarwal. After ceaseless battles local Hindu landlords allied themselves to to the Mughal governor Wazir Khan, who himself requested assistance from the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb when the local Muslim populace was consecutively attacked by the Sikh rebels.^[32][33]

Aurangzeb agreed to send forces to assist them in besieging Govind Singh in his stronghold at Anandpur. The guru himself escaped, but his children were executed. As he fed from the pursuing Mughal Army, Guru Govind Singh addressed their Emperor, Aurangzeb in a long Persian poem, known as Zafarnama. The poem complained against the Mughal Emperor Aurnagzeb, but appealed for peace in the name of humanity and of Islam and its teachings. According to certain Sikh accounts, Aurangzeb invited the guru to visit him in the Deccan and thereafter allowed Guru Govind Singh to live in peace.^[34]

Bahadur Shah I respected Guru Govind Singh and ordered an investagation to the actions of Wazir Khan, and it was during this time period that Guru Govind Singh was assassinated by a renegade loyalist of Wazir Khan.

See also[link]

• List of places named after Guru Gobind Singh
• Guru Gobind Singh Children's Foundation
• Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Singh, Gobind; Jasbir Kaur Ahuja (1996). The Zafarnama of Guru Gobind Singh. Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. OCLC 42966940. 
• Singh, Prof. Surinderjit, Guru Gobind Singh's Zafarnamah Transliteration and Poetic Rendering in English. Singh Brothers, Amritsar. 2003. ISBN 81-7205-272-3.
• Deora, Man Singh (1989). Guru Gobind Singh: a literary survey. New Delhi: Anmol Publications. ISBN 978-81-7041-160-4. OCLC 21280295. 
• Chopra, R. M., Glory of Sikhism, Sanbun Publishers, 2001, ISBN 783473471195.

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Gobind Singh

• - Tenets of Guru Gobind Singh by Baldev Singh
• Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Biography of Guru Gobind Singh
• Sri Dasam Granth, the definitive writings on the Sri Dasam Granth
• Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Shabad, Read along with Shabad by Guru Gobind Singh in the Sri Dasam Granth
• Dasam Granth, the collection of writings attributed to Guru Gobind Singh

Syed Mohammed Hussain (October 1, 1911 – February 28, 1977) was an Indian field hockey player who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics. He belonged to the beary society, whose mother tongue was Beary Bashe. He was the captain for the hockey club Manavadar, which was then a British protectorate. He is said to had a melodious voice.^[1] Muhammad Hussein worked for the Prince of Manavadar.^[2] and also represented India against South Africa in soccer in 1934.^[3]

He was described by Krishan Datta in the times of India as "A reliable full-back, Mohammed Hussain enjoyed the trust of his captain in the final against Germany. A 'stout' defender and a 'wall' in the defence, Hussain hailed from the princely state of Manavadar which produced a sprinkling of Olympians."^[4]

Mohammed hussain was in the playingXI in the finals, So someone please identify him

He was a member of the Indian field hockey team, which won the gold medal.His position was full-back. He played four matches (5 matches was totally played)including both the semifinal match against France and final match against Germany. He was then 24 years old.

He was mentioned a lot of times in the book The World's Hockey Champions 1936 by Mirza Masood, a teammate. He was the captain of the Prince of Manavadar's Team which toured New Zealand in 1938.

Practice matches for olympics[link]

Practice Matches in Northern India India played her first game of the Indian tour against Delhi Select XI. India lost 1-4, even though delhiXI was never considered a great team. The unexpected win is sometimes blamed on Mohammed Hussain for playing as inside-right, a position in which he had never played before. India won the next two matches against Jhansi Heroes and Bhopal State XI easily.

Practice Matches in Northern India India won the three matches against Madras Indians, All Madras and bangalore without any problem. He played in all these matches.

Pre-Olympic Practice Games in Germany India played eight practice matches before the Olympics. He played in 5 of those matches. India remained undefeated.

The olympics matches[link]

He played against Hungary. He was rested in the next match against USA. India had easy wins against Japan and France later. He was part of both the matches. After the match he and the team were guests of the Berlin Mosque Committee with an invitation to take tea with the members. A long speech tracing the history of the Olympic Games and India's part therein was given by the President, and translated afterwards in the German and Arabic languages. India won the final against Germany the hitler's team 8-1.

The post olympic[link]

In his book The World's Hockey Champions 1936, Mirza Masood mentions a song sung by Mohammed Hussain at Konigssee, a favourite resort of Hitler on weekends. He writes "At the request of some of the members, Mohammad Hussain sang two love songs in Urdu in his clear, melodious voice. The songs took us far away from the scenic beauty of the Bavarian lake to India and her people.Isn't it strange that when we were enjoying the most the sight of the beautiful lake, a mere song put into oblivion what was so impressive a moment before, and carried us on the wings of imagination to the people whom we had long left behind? Such is the strong tie of the motherland!"^[5]

References[link]

External links[link]

• profile
• The World's Hockey Champions 1936
• Munich and Leipzig

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2009)

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Mithun Chakraborty
Born	Gouranga Chakraborty 16 June 1950[1] India
Other names	Mithunda
Occupation	Actor Entrepreneur Television presenter
Years active	1976–present
Spouse	Yogeeta Bali (1979–present)
Children	Mahakshay Chakraborty Rimoh Chakraborty Namashi Chakraborty Dishani Chakraborty

Mithun Chakraborty Miṭhun Chôkroborti, born as Gouranga Chakraborty on June 16, 1950) is an Indian film actor, social activist, and entrepreneur, who has won three National Film Awards. He made his acting debut with the arthouse drama Mrigayaa (1976), for which he won his first National Film Award for Best Actor.

He gained a fan following as a dancing star and went on to establish himself as one of the most popular actors of India, particularly recognized for his role as street dancer Jimmy in the 1982 Bollywood movie Disco Dancer. He also attracted worldwide audiences, particularly in the former Soviet Union^[2] where he became a household name for his role in Disco Dancer.^[3] He later won two more National Film Awards for his performances in Bengali film Tahader Katha (1992) and Hindi film Swami Vivekananda (1998).

Chakraborty has appeared in about 400 films^[4] including Bengali, Oriya and Bhojpuri pictures. He owns the Monarch Group, which has interests in the hospitality sector^[5] and educational sector.^[6]

Early life and education[link]

Mithun Chakraborty was born in Kolkata, West Bengal, to a Bengali Hindu Brahmin family.

He was educated at the Oriental Seminary and also graduated with a degree in chemistry from the Scottish Church College in Kolkata.^[7] Later, he attended and graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune.

Mithun Chakraborty was a staunch Naxalite before entering the film industry,^{[citation needed]} but tragedy struck his family when his only brother was electrocuted and killed in a freak accident. He returned to his family and left the Naxalite fold, even though doing so posed a grave risk to his own life.^{[citation needed]} He had also undergone expert training in Martial Arts to the grade of black belt.^{[8][dubious – discuss]}

Film career[link]

1970s[link]

Mithun Chakraborty made his film debut in the 1976 Mrinal Sen-directed film Mrigaya, for which he won the coveted National Film Award for Best Actor. Then he shared the screen with Amitabh Bachchan, a small role in Do Anjaane, followed by Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan, Hamara Sansar and Amar Deep. In between, his Mera Rakshak was a success of 1978 . Mithun rose to stardom with the low budget Ravikant Nagaich directed spy film Surakshaa, released in 1979. The film was so successful, that many movies starring Mithun in the lead role were launched. The combination with director Deepak Bahry also happened for the first time in 1979 with Tarana. Another important film for Mithun in the late 70s was Prem Vivah, directed by Basu Chatterjee.

1980s[link]

Mithun had much success in Bollywood throughout the 1980s, being a part of over 110 releases. The minimum guarantee tag he earned with hit film Surakshaa continued with its sequel Wardat. His lead roles in Hum Paanch, Unees-Bees and Aadat Se Majboor made him the most bankable star of 80's. He also done lighter roles in Shaukeen, Sun Sajna and Aamne Samne, which made him a favourite among family audience. But Disco Dancer became the real blockbuster in 1982, the breakthrough role of musical drama which was a huge success and remains a cult favorite to this day. Along with Disco Dancer and other musical films such as Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki and Dance Dance in a time where dancing was essentially a woman's forté in India, showcased him as a talented dancer. As Amitabh Bachchan moved to politics, Mithun became the numero uno of Bollywood with consistent hit films and became Bollywood' s second highest paid star after Big B.^[9] He also became India's highest tax payer in 1986.^[10] Chakraborty went on to star in a number of successful romantic and family dramas during the 1980s, such as Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye, Ghar Ek Mandir, Pyaar Jhukta Nahin, Swarag Se Sunder and Pyaar Ka Mandir. These films remain his most commercially successful films to date.^[11] He was also widely recognized as an action hero in hit films like Jagir (1984), Jaal, Dilwaala (1986), Watan Ke Rakhwale (1987), Jeete Hain Shaan Se, Waqt Ki Awaz (1988) and Guru (1989). His action movies always done good business especially in B and C class theatres. However his teaming with Amitabh Bachchan again in Ganga Jamuna Saraswati flopped, but Mithun had a good teaming with Jeetendra and Dharmendra in many successful movies of 80's. His good performances never won an Award in 1986 and 1987 as Filmfare Awards was never announced due to technical reasons. As Mithun always had higher number of releases, sometimes it affected the business of his own films as happened in 1989, where he had a record 19 films. Still his Prem Pratigyaa, Guru, Ilaaka and Mujrim were successful. Had he concentrated in spacing out his releases, the success ratio would have been higher.

1990s[link]

Mithun had 100 plus releases in this decade too, starting with Agneepath which won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. Films like Shandaar, Pyar Ka Karz, Gunahon Ka Devta, Pyar Ka Devta, Pyar Hua Chori Chori, Trinetra and Mere Sajana Saath Nibhana followed. In 1992, the critically acclaimed Bengali film Tahader Katha won him his second National Film Award for Best Actor. In this period he decided to take a break from Mumbai. He shifted his entire family to Ooty and he constructed The Monarch Hotel. Mithun then decided to do movies only to be shot at Ooty and nearby locations and he provided discount rates to the film crew to stay in his hotel as well. This strategy paid off as numerous films starring Mithun was launched every week, so he shifted his focus from mainstream Hindi cinema to low-budget movies. Hit film Dalaal was released followed by other low budget hit films like Phool Aur Angaar and Ravan Raaj: A True Story. Jallad won him the Filmfare Best Villain Award and Star Screen Award Best Villain for the year 1995. His economical film production was popular as Mithun's Dream Factory.^{[12][13][14][15][16]} Even he could not do Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Iruvar as his character had to crop his hair, which would have affected 15 films he was doing, at a time. He paid more tax than anyone else in the country in the mean period for 5 continuous years, from 1995 to 1999.^[10] By this time, Chakraborty held the record for appearing in the most number of Hindi films as a hero. Once again the overdose of Mithun releases affected the business as 1998 and 1999 itself had almost 30 Mithun films like 1989. This decade proved Mithun as a businessman more than a star as low budget filmmakers were given their due by Mithun. He operates hotels in Mudhumalai and Ooty in Tamil Nadu, Darjeeling, Siliguri^[17] and Kolkata in West Bengal.^[18]

2000s[link]

Mithun's Dream Factory films still continued to hold the audiences, moreover he started doing more Bengali films as well. Chakraborty also made a comeback to the mainstream Hindi film industry in 2005 with the film Elaan. After a few supporting roles in films such as Lucky: No Time for Love (2005), he was acclaimed for his villainous role in Kalpana Lajmi's Chingari (2005). In 2007 he starred in Mani Ratnam's hit film Guru. His 2009 movie Zor Lagaa Ke...Haiya! won multiple International awards^[19] and Chal Chalein was appreciated by critics for its bold theme. Critically acclaimed Phir Kabhi with Dimple Kapadia had a very successful première through a direct to home (DTH) release in September 2009 and won as many as six awards in as many categories at the Los Angeles Reel Awards-2009. His act along with Salman Khan in Veer (2010), though a commercial failure, won him rave reviews, but Golmaal 3 (2010) and Housefull 2 (2012) became blockbusters at the box-office. He won acclaim for best performance in Golmaal 3 He is working on Enemmy with his son Mimoh Chakraborty, Sunil Shetty and Yuvika Chaudhary. He has also signed Akshay Kumar' s Khiladi 786.

Regional films[link]

Parallel to his Bollywood career, Mithun Chakraborty has also worked in Bengali, as well as in realistic or arthouse movies including Troyee, made in 1982. He appeared in director Buddhadeb Dasgupta's Tahader Katha which got him his second National Award in 1992. A third National Award followed in 1995, this time for the Best Supporting Actor, for his portrayal of Ramakrishna Paramhansa, in G V Iyer's Swami Vivekananda. Mithun, occasionally did Bengali films like Anyay Abichar, Swarna Trishna and Jiban Yuddha, but post 2000, he has concentrated more in Bengali films. He also appeared in Goutam Ghose's Gudia in 1999 as well as Rituparno Ghosh's Titli in 2002. In 2008, he collaborated again with Buddhadeb Dasgupta for Kaalpurush and later appeared in hit films Shukno Lanka, Ami Shubhash Bolchi and Target-The Final Mission. His performances in Mrigaya, Tahader Katha, Swami Vivekananda, Kalpurush and Titli won him National Film Awards and nominations. His debut Bhojpuri film Bhole Shankar is considered as the biggest Bhojpuri hit.^[20] Similarly his Oriya language film Ae Jugara Krushna Sudama was also a huge success.^[21] The latest Bengali hits for Mithun are Nobel Chor and Le Halwa Le.